Hours before she was born I wandered through hidden back corridors of the teaching hospital, staring at the specimens on display, convinced (along with my family and physicians) that I would not survive the day. That particular concern was immaterial – nonsense – I just had to get through the immediate physical challenge.
I did, we did, she was born – fist first and facing the wrong direction. That sums up the entirety of her life so far. The girl is a genius, autodidact, dropout, fiend.
She has a furious mentality that leaves me shocked and breathless, a wit so incandescent I can never even hope to keep up.
I never have any idea of what she will do, though she always does it well – and to extremes. Her friendship is a gift, her presence a worthwhile challenge.
She is my daughter, but more than that, she is herself, and I love her in the entirety of that concept. I sometimes wish that I could still hold her in my hands, and protect her from the world. But she is too ferocious and fearless for such niceties.
My daughter is, simply, amazing. I send sincere and good birthday wishes to the glorious and gorgeous girl, wherever she is in the world!